Band Origin: Finland
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Release Date: 2011
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
The Concept: A Leaner, Meaner Bodom
Produced by Matt Hyde (who previously worked with Slayer and Monster Magnet), the album was designed to sound “rawer” but with a high-budget, crystal-clear production. Alexi Laiho famously stated that the title reflected his personal lifestyle—living fast and without regret.
Musical Style & Key Features:
Thrash Influence: The album leans heavily into rhythmic, staccato riffing. Songs like “Shovel Knockout” and “Relentless Reckless Forever” feel more like hyper-fast Thrash Metal than the “power metal” vibe of their earlier records.
The “Pop” Sensibility: Despite the aggression, this is arguably one of the band’s most “catchy” albums. Track structures are tighter, and the choruses are designed to be anthems.
Technically Demanding: Alexi Laiho described the guitar work on this album as some of the most difficult he had ever written, focusing on erratic rhythms and complex “shred” patterns.
Notable Tracks:
“Was It Worth It?”
The lead single and most “accessible” song on the record. It features a heavy, mid-tempo groove and a music video featuring skateboarding legends like Chris Cole, bridging the gap between metal and “skate culture.”
“Shovel Knockout”
A high-speed opener that sets the tone for the album—aggressive, technical, and full of the trademark Janne Wirman keyboard flourishes.
“Not My Funeral”
One of the strongest tracks on the album, blending the classic “Bodom” melody with a modern, crushing guitar tone.
“Pussyfoot Miss Suicide”
Known for its controversial title, the song actually showcases some of the most intricate neoclassical-inspired keyboard and guitar interplay on the entire record.
Critical Reception & Legacy
Reception: The album received mixed reviews from “purist” fans who missed the 1990s neoclassical style (Hatebreeder era). However, it was a massive commercial success, debuting at #1 on the Finnish charts and selling over 10,000 copies in its first week in the US.
Production Value: Many fans praise this album for its “modern” sound. The drums are particularly powerful, and the guitar tone is sharp enough to cut through any mix.
The Transition: It served as a bridge between their experimentations with “Mainstream Metal” (Are You Dead Yet?) and their return to a darker, more melodic death metal sound in later albums like Halo of Blood.
